"Every time you spend money, you're casting a vote for the kind of world you want."

Tag: ethical beauty

Shaving for me is like trying to get the last bit of ketchup out of a bottle, it’s like temperature control in an office (too hot, too cold, never right), it’s like finding somewhere you really want to eat but realising they don’t accept card and the closest cash machine is a 10 minute walk away… basically shaving for me is an annoyance.

But I have now found a ‘Shaviour’. Something that makes shaving a little less annoying.

Friction Free Shaving (FFS) is the first razor delivery service designed exclusively for women. Basically you sign up and they send you a cool metal handle (less plastic!!) and fresh blades every month.

If like me you keep your razor forever and ever, rarely remembering to change it, you’re probably wondering why you get fresh blades every month. What I hadn’t even considered was how unhygienic it was using the same blade over and over again, bacteria and all sorts of minging bits builds up in them. The concept of FFS is that they send out four blades a month, one for every week. That way you’re shaving your legs with bacteria and gunk free blades, resulting in a friction free shave. Voila!

I went for the Rose razor package. The handle comes free (or £5 if you want it engraved like mine) and for £9 a month I get four blades delivered. The blades are great value for money, for example if you compare quality like for like, a four-pack of Gillette blades costs £12.99. If you don’t need any more blades you can stop your subscription at any time, or swap your blade delivery for some of their shave scrubs, creams or balms.

If this sounds up your street and you fancy giving FFS a go, use this code to get 25% off your first order 5XGF71.

To mark to the occasion I’d like to take some writing space to thank those who have supported, followed and inspired me to continue. At times it has been tough. Making time to research and write whilst juggling a job, the gym, learning German and a social life (aka beer and binge watching Netflix) hasn’t always been easy. But your kind words have jeered me along.

Next year will definitely be a different one for me. Full of changes. I will be moving in with my parents for a few months and have a HUGE, exciting adventure up my sleeve. The blog may morph as time goes on, but always at the heart of it will be sustainability.

If you would like to work with me or put forward a topic for me to cover, please let me know!

I’m now about to have a ‘Fake Christmas Day’ with my family. Lots of food and Secret Santa presents await. I hope you have a great Sunday.

The most ethical gift of all is the gift of Nothing. Often we are given gifts that we do not need, nor want. The gift of nothing saves money, prevents waste (both gift and packaging wise) and puts more emphasis on having a good time, rather than a materialistic Christmas.

If you have a large family or a big group of friends Secret Santa is a great solution. Instead of giving many pointless gifts you give one meaningful one. My family are doing this for the first time this Christmas. We have each picked a name out of a hat and set a budget of £10. Unfortunately the whole ‘secret’ part of Secret Santa has failed a little bit, but it is the thought that counts…

Make Smthng Week runs from 2nd – 10th December. It follows the mass consumerism of Black Friday and encourages people to Make Something. Why not bake some mince pies, make a cushion or toy out of old clothes, fix a broken game, paint and oil an old bike?

Instead of giving something, Do Something. It is better to collect moments not things. Treat your loved ones to a meal out, or a trip to the theatre, or a spa day, or a weekend away. Me and Fiona (my sister) have done this for the past few years. Last year it was a trip to Warsaw, the year before a trip to Budapest, this year we’re going to go to the Harry Potter: A History of Magic exhibition at the British Library.

Buy from a Charity shop or give a charity gift. Oxfam have some great suggestions, for example you can shelter a refugee for £15 or for £9 buy a tap to provide safe water. This year at work, instead of doing Secret Santa, we are each buying a toy and donating it to Cash for Kids.

Purchase an Ethical Product. Ethical Superstore is a great site to go to for all sorts of gifts ranging from beauty products, to chocolates and gadgets.

This time of year there are Christmas Markets left right and centre. Visit these markets and Shop Local. When you support an independent shop, small business or local store you are supporting someone’s dream. House of Habit Jewellery and Sweet Memory Lane are two of my favourites.

Head to Etsy and Shop Handmade. I may (or may not…) have gotten my Secret Santa gift from here. Similar to shopping local, by buying something handmade you are supporting a person rather than a corporation. It means much more to know that time and effort has gone into the item, rather than it rolling off a production line.

Books are a favourite at Christmas. It’s always best to try and buy second-hand books saving money and trees. For new books use a local independent shop or head to Hive to buy online.

Get someone a Subscription. Subscribe someone to a monthly delivery of socks, natural beauty products or curry spices. Check out The London Sock Exchange they not only deliver new socks but recycle old.

Every year, the world uses over 3.6 billion toothbrushes. Every year, we throw about 2 billion of them away – most of them end up in landfills and oceans. The majority are made from plastic which does not biodegrade.

In my music festival post a few months back I mentioned my Humble Brush (made from a biodegradable bamboo handle and nylon-6 bristles) which I use for holidays, weekends away and work trips, but whilst at home I use an electric toothbrush. You’re supposed to change your electric toothbrush head every 3 months, so again, that is a lot of plastic going to waste.

I spent some time searching for an electric toothbrush head solution and came across Live Coco, who provide an Oral B toothbrush head that is 100% recyclable and biodegradable. It’s also made with charcoal bristles which are supposed to help with whitening and removing bacteria.

Luckily I have an Oral B toothbrush, so these heads are perfect for me. Unfortunately though I haven’t managed to find any other brand solutions that are reasonably priced out there. I’ll keep looking, and when I find some I’ll share with you. Or better still… if you’ve managed to find any, comment below!

October is Fairtrade month, so here are five of my Fairtrade favourites:

Bananas – I have at least one banana a day, they couldn’t NOT be top of my list. Always make sure they are organic AND Fairtrade (good for the worker and the environment).

Jyoti Fair Works – Earlier this year I bought a beautiful skirt from Jyoti who are a German-Indian fair fashion label. Seriously check them out because their designs are great and they do some amazing stuff with their workers and supply-chain.

99% of the year I use make-up that is the palest shade. However sometimes, on those very odd occasions when my skin meets sunshine, I need something a little darker. But because it’s only a small portion of the year that I need a darker shade I begrudge buying a new product.

This is where Lush’s Colour Supplements are little pots of brilliance. Add a smidgen to your moisturiser, foundation or sun cream and you’re sorted!

They come in seven different shades, from Jackie Oates to Dark Brown. If you’re unsure which shade would suit you best, just head into a store and they would be more than happy to match a pot for you.

I’m currently using the Light Pink pot (3rd along), adding a tiny bit to my moisturiser every morning for work and to my foundation when I go out.

As always from Lush, the product is not tested on animals and is handmade (thanks Judo) which is great. It’s also light and natural on your skin, doesn’t feel oily or clog your pores. The only negative I would say is that the colour range is not massively inclusive for those with darker skin as the dark brown is not really that dark.

I’m hoping we get some more sunshine in England so that I can keep using this product, otherwise it will be going back in the make-up bag until the sun reappears next year! Come on British summer!

It is 100% natural and 70% organic. It is free from animal testing, sulfates, fragrance, artificial preservatives and salt and it comes in a 100% recycled UK-made bottle.

To get the best out of the shampoo I put a couple of pumps in my hands and lather onto my hair and scalp, leave to soak for about 2-3 minutes, then rinse. Leaving the shampoo in gives the hair a chance to absorb the active ingredients. This is what takes away the need for a conditioner and still works on sensitive scalps and dyed hair.

Please be aware that because this shampoo is sulfate free, it does not lather as much as a ‘normal’ shampoo, this does not mean you haven’t used enough.